Barefoot Church: Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture (Exponential Series) [Kindle Edition]

Brandon Hatmaker (Author)

Book Description

People are hungry to make a difference in their community, yet most don't know where to start. In fact, 'serving the least' is often one of the most neglected biblical mandates in the church. Barefoot Church shows readers how today's church can be a catalyst for individual, collective, and social renewal in any context. Whether pastors or laypeople, readers will discover practical ideas that end up being as much about the Gospel and personal transformation as they are about serving the poor. Here they will see how the organizational structure of the church can be created or redesigned for mission in any context. Drawing from his own journey, Brandon Hatmaker proves to readers that serving the least is not a trendy act of benevolence but a lifestyle of authentic community and spiritual transformation. As Hatmaker writes, 'My hope is that God would open our eyes more and more to the needs of our community. And that we would see it as the church's responsibility to lead the charge.'

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Refreshing. Powerful. Needed. Brandon connects the dots with both philosophic and practical steps to effective impact. Read this and get ready to change." -Jeremie Kubicek, CEO of GiANT Impact and author of National best-seller, Leadership is Dead

"This book contains a lot of heart, mixed with a good dose of authenticity, and spiced with a fair bit of courage.  Brandon offers us an articulate vision of a church that lives true to her calling to be God's agents of change in a broken world. Bring it on!" -Alan Hirsch, Author of The Forgotten Ways, On The Verge, the The Faith of Leap.

"Inspiring, direct, courageous, powerful, and timely.  Hatmaker "gets it" and gives the modern day church a wake up call."  -Caroline M. Boudreaux, Founder, The Miracle Foundation

"Brandon leads us out of the guilt-laden, often overwhelming notions of what we should be doing as a Christian, and shows us the redeeming, life-giving work God has for each of us in a world that 'waits in groaning' for hope, love, and rescue. Don't miss this book!" - Andy Hein, INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION®

"Brandon shares his heart for seeing Austin - and the world - transformed. Barefoot Church succeeds in giving the reader real, practical ideas for renewal." - Matt Carter, Pastor of Preaching & Vision, The Austin Stone Community Church

About the Author

Brandon Hatmaker is pastor of Austin New Church (austinnewchurch.com), co-founder of Restore Austin (restorecommunities.org), and a missional strategist with Missio (missio.us).  Together, ANC and Restore Austin have developed a unique network of churches and non-profits which serve in a collective effort to impact their city and world.

Product Details

• File Size: 1976 KB
• Print Length: 209 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0310492262
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
• Publisher: Zondervan (November 1, 2011)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004ZXTZIQ
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,849 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #4 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Clergy > Church Growth

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Combination Of Theory And Implementation October 22, 2011

By Vernon

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Reading through Barefoot Church, I was encouraged greatly, while also blown away by how Hatmaker weaves in the ability to call out issues AND give great answers. Here are some areas that I believe Barefoot Church offers a new contribution.

1. It was raw and hope filled, instead of pessimistic and deconstructing. Many guys are writing books and articles that address problems, but they have been incredibly lazy in working out answers. Hatmaker definitely talks about problems, but does not just keep the issue hanging. He gives some engaging answers.

2. Chapters 5 and 9 were incredible. The ideas that are brought up in talking through the "unchurched" and "dechurched" are solid (Chp. 5). Also, in chapter 9, the 6 ways on how to engage non profits are priceless. They are worth the price of the book in themselves.

3. A collision of theory and implementation. Many books are continually jumping in the deep water on either side, while not realizing that both make up the pool. Brandon does both very well.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Barefoot Church Review November 7, 2011

By Paul D. Stohler

Format:Paperback

Recently, Brandon Hatmaker has written a book called Barefoot Church to address the church's mission to serve the least in our culture. I am greatly appreciative to Brandon and Zondervan for the opportunity to read and review this book for free.

The book begins with a vision Brandon has one night during a church service where God asks him to give his new boots to a homeless man. Brandon's heart is truly exposed and thus begins his journey to find out what it means to be a barefoot church: a church that is not afraid to serve the least, even if it means giving away your shoes and winding up barefoot. He sums it up when he writes, "We engage the culture by engaging the needs of that culture. We have to do this on their turf, not ours (pg. 85)."

The book is full of serious, heartfelt Biblical discussion about social justice and the church's mission. It's why Brandon started Austin New Church in Austin, TX. Through his journey he has found what it means to serve the least and truly lead a barefoot church.

It is found by being different and there must be a different way to measure success. Today's churches in the US do not always have the reputation of being culture changers. We're not known for serving the hurting, needy, homeless, hungry, and orphaned. Yet, times are changing and Brandon and ANC are leading by example.

The most challenging chapter for me would be Chapter 8: Partnering With the Non-Profit World. Brandon gives great reasons why churches should partner with non-profs, but I believe there could be more problems than are described in the book. I do not believe that churches should not partner with non-profs, I just do not believe it is as cut and dry as made out in the book. It still seems like churches are the fat kid from Goonies that has to do the Truffle Shuffle to get in the house - we're still not the "cool kids." The church must be the trend setters. Hopefully there will be a day when non-profs want to help churches serve the least, not the other way around.

This book is convicting and moving. It is riddled with true, slice of life stories that cut to the heart and make you think. It helps you see the difference between a "come and see church" and a "go and do" church, a barefoot church obviously being the latter. The book is practical and thought-provoking, moving and passionate, convicting and challenging. The reader is even left with steps to becoming a barefoot church in the final chapter. This is worth a read, even if you may not agree with everything, as was the case with me. I recommend you pick it up.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have one book to read on BEING the church, it's this one October 20, 2011

By D. Gamble

Format:Kindle Edition

One of the most practical books on leading a church to missional impact. Brandon reveals in an engaging and personal style his own journey to starting Austin New Church where they Gather to Go not just stay put. He puts flesh on all the theory out there for being a missional church and puts the "and" in AND of being both gathered and scattered. I first heard Brandon in person and then subsequently picked up the book and it has really helped my thinking in the kind of church I want to start. This is definitely a must read for any church planter or pastor wanting to lead their church to new kinds of effectiveness in reaching out and actually being the hands and feet of Jesus. Not a book for the feint of heart or those who are happy with the status quo. But if you have a holy discontent to see MORE from your church, pick this book up and read.

More About the Author

Brandon is an author, church planter, non-profit collaborator, and missional strategist. He currently serves as lead pastor of Austin New Church (www.austinnewchurch.com), is co-founder of Restore Communities (www.restorecommunities.org), and is a ministry coach with Missio (www.missio.us). Together, ANC and Restore Communities have developed a unique network of missional communities, churches, and non-profits which serve in a collective effort to impact their city and world. Brandon is married to author and speaker, Jen Hatmaker.